Phillies leave home, prepare for long trade-dealine road trip

The Phillies lineup could look completely different the next time the squad plays in Citizens Bank Park.

After wrapping up a seven-game homestandin typical Phillies fashion (decent pitching, lackluster offense) Philly heads to some familiar venues for a 10-game road trip.

The 10-games in 10-day endeavor takes the Phillies from Pittsburgh this weekend to Miami midweek next week to Atlanta for a four-game set to end the month.

The team will not return home before the August 1 trade deadline, a milestone that is sure to see the Phillies act as sellers. Zach Eflin starts things off in Pittsburgh Friday night at 7:05 p.m. followed by Aaron Nola and the rest of the Phils staff. But with Jeremy Hellickson generating trade buzz it’s anyone’s guess if he pitches again after his start against the Marlins Thursday.

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The Phillies have been better on the road batting at a .260 clip — about 20 points better than their mark at home. After starting July 7-3 the Phillies are under .500 since the All-Star Break.

Ironically for the team, hovering below .500 on the year, the pitching has been worse on the road, with an ERA near 5 (and nearly 1.3 points lower at home). The team has similar records both home and away.

With a bevy of talented prospects waiting in the wings, the return trip to South Philly on August 2 when the Giants come to town could be yet another rebirth for the team, which is being shaped little by little this season.